The Questlove Show

After interviewing Flea in the studio, Questlove asked the Red Hot Chili Peppers co-founder about the 1980s Los Angeles Punk scene. In response for this mini episode taped moments after, Questlove reflects on the Philly Hip-Hop ecosystem of the 1990s—the power of a KRS-One lyric and the raw talent of his fellow Philly peers and Roots collaborators.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flea joins Questlove in-studio to discuss his debut trumpet album Honora, the long road back to his first musical love, and the rituals that ground his creativity and daily life. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee unpacks the evolution of his artistry—from a Jazz-obsessed kid in upstate New York to a genre-curious fixture in the L.A. scene to a cornerstone of the Red Hot Chili Peppers—and how prayer, reading, stretching, and strict boundaries with technology shape his days. Flea also opens up about assembling the Honora band with Josh Johnson and Jeff Parker, his collaborations with Thom Yorke, his relationship with his wife Mel, and why intention and personal integrity matter more to him than chops or genre. This episode of the Questlove Show flows with deep musical nerdery and raw honesty about what it really takes to keep growing as an artist and a human being.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Raheem DeVaughn kicks off the Say Yes Tour alongside a reunited Floetry and Teedra Moses. His full Questlove Show episode is coming soon, but we’re sharing an exclusive segment as a mini-episode, where he talks about the tour and tells a great story involving Aretha Franklin. Raheem DeVaughn’s new release, The Quiet Storm Lover: Tome Un, is out now. Stay tuned for the full-length conversation, arriving in May.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis join The Questlove Show in-studio to discuss their upcoming April Las Vegas residency, along with key milestones from their extraordinary career. The legendary duo unpacks the dynamics of their decades-long creative partnership, both in and out of the studio. They revisit sessions with Janet Jackson, Usher, Mary J. Blige, The Isley Brothers, and Barry White, offering insight into the moments behind some of their most iconic work. Along the way, Jam and Lewis reveal which hip-hop star they once crafted a batch of tracks for, the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee they championed, and their perspective on current events in the Twin Cities. A bucket-list conversation for Questlove, the episode is driven by deep mutual respect, admiration, and the kind of chemistry that only comes with true musical brotherhood.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this mini-episode of The Questlove Show, Questlove dives into the rules (and risks) of “TV monogamy,” from a breakup sparked by secret binge-watching to how episode “hall passes” can save relationships. Questlove also talks about TV as constant background “aquarium,” his accidental reality TV rabbit hole, and why one cult classic TV show (that only lasted a single season) quietly reshaped The Roots’ jam-band approach.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this mini episode of The Questlove Show, Questlove talks with producer "Cousin Jake" in a salute to Sinners, and revisits his early-season conversation with (now Oscar-winning) cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, exploring how 70mm projection, sound, lighting, and film stock shape his emotional connection to movies. He breaks down his knack for spotting award-worthy performances and explains why he’s now deeply invested in everyone involved with Sinners. The mini closes with a detour into the Blues genre, D'Angelo, and B.B. King’s Live at Cook County Jail.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Questlove as he sits down with friend Padma Lakshmi for a funny, sharp, and intimate conversation on food, culture, and reinvention. Padma revisits her New York City childhood, makes the case for Queens as the city’s true food capital, and shares her ultimate snack kryptonites. She also opens up about stepping away from a show she helped build into a powerhouse to launch America’s Culinary Cup from the ground up—and why she’s fully in her “zero effs” era.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Lee Curtis sits down with Questlove for an intimate, funny, and deeply motivating conversation about unlocking your greatness. With her signature candor, Jamie reflects on learning to stop shrinking herself and fully embrace her power—and how a recent connection with Quest helped her see that vision more clearly. In this wide-ranging chat, Jamie shares how she likes to be coached, the surprising lessons she’s learned from her dog, and why she refuses to dwell on the comments. As she prepares for her latest endeavor, Scarpetta, Jamie also opens up about the creative freedom behind projects like Everything Everywhere All at Once, True Lies, A Fish Called Wanda, and The Bear—and what those experiences taught her about trusting the process and owning your voice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this mailbag mini-episode, Questlove answers listener questions on James Brown’s polarizing late-period track “Deep in It” and why he loves the so-called “mustache era” of JB. Quest' gives practical advice to an aspiring collaborator in Spain, talking busking, community-building, and creative ways to find like-minded musicians offline. He weighs in on the rise of listening bars and vinyl-centric spaces. Finally, he goes deep on his favorite snare drums, and discusses some of the kits from his own historic drum collection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Baz Luhrmann joins Questlove to trace his journey from a rural Australian kid running a roadside radio station to the visionary behind Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge!, and The Great Gatsby. He breaks down his signature style of fusing modern music with classic stories, the chaos and cultural impact of Romeo + Juliet, and collaborations with artists like Radiohead, Elton John, David Bowie, JAY-Z, and Missy Elliott. Baz also discusses the new concert film EPIC (Elvis Presley In Concert), built from newly uncovered rehearsal and performance footage from a pivotal moment in Elvis Presley’s career. Along the way, he reflects on his approach to building immersive creative worlds—and why Elvis’s life and music now sit at the center of two of his most ambitious projects.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questlove answers Questlove Show listener letters in a candid mini-episode that spans grief, legacy, and the weight of influence. Responding to a fan whose “musical Mount Rushmore” includes several late legends in Ahmir's orbit, he reflects on losing collaborators. Quest also revisits the rise and evolution of Okayplayer, teases liner notes and treats for the next Roots projects, and addresses the fate of his lockdown DJ sets and whether they might return online. Please send your questions by the contact us page on QuestloveSupreme.com or DM'ing the show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Questlove Show mini “mailbag” episode features Ahmir responding to listener questions about underappreciated (and groundbreaking) Philly Hip-Hop group The Goats, his creative process and wild story behind crafting the music-driven opening montage for the SNL 50 documentary, and a deep-dive on The Jacksons’ This Place Hotel (Heartbreak Hotel), including why he sees Michael Jackson as an early influence on Gangsta Rap themes, and reveals he made his own private mix of The Jacksons' Triumph. You can submit questions by direct messaging on IG and Facebook, or through the contact-us portal at QuestloveSupreme.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Electric bass visionary MonoNeon joins Questlove to trace his journey from Memphis church kid and second-generation musician to Prince’s last-hired bassist and a viral internet force. He breaks down his flipped right-handed bass technique, neon-soaked persona, and Dada-inspired art mindset, plus the albums that shaped him. MonoNeon and Quest' dig into his speech-to-music videos, collaborations with George Clinton and Mac Miller, the lessons he took from Paisley Park, and how embracing “mistakes” and self-doubt became the engine of his ultimate goal: total musical freedom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Questlove Show, Questlove sits down with Colin Kaepernick live on stage at Web Summit in Qatar for a focused (but abbreviated) conversation about discipline, courage, and purpose. Kaepernick walks through his morning training routine, reflects on his childhood and early athletic ambitions, and examines the influences that shaped his evolution into activism. He speaks about the ongoing work of Know Your Rights Camp, including its response to recent events, and shares how his Lumi platform is designed to expand student engagement, literacy, and AI fluency. The conversation captures where his journey stands a decade after he stepped fully into public activism.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a bonus clip from James Alexander’s two-part conversation, he recalls witnessing The O'Jays and The Temptations go toe-to-toe musically on stage in Cleveland in December 1967. That showdown—shared amid Alexander’s reflections on Otis Redding’s final days—led into a previously unreleased account of how his band, The Bar-Kays, developed a rivalry with Larry Blackmon's Cameo—a situation rooted in showmanship and cash. Steel sharpens steel...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Alexander returns to The Questlove Show for a revealing deep dive into the rebirth and evolution of The Bar-Kays after tragedy, sharing how he rebuilt the group with vocalist Larry Dodson and crafted a louder, more aggressive funk-rock sound that pushed them into a new era. He reflects on becoming a go-to rhythm section for Stax Records and beyond, playing on classics for Rufus Thomas, The Staple Singers, and others, and revisits the making and lasting impact of “Holy Ghost,” their showstopping performance at Wattstax, the wild realities of 1970s touring and stagecraft, and the band’s constant reinvention through the 1980s. The Bar-Kays remain active today, and Alexander’s spirited storytelling makes clear why their legacy endures.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Valentine’s weekend arrives, Questlove follows his love-inspired soundtrack with a different kind of selection, one pulled from the side of the crate reserved for heartbreak. He suggests ten songs that sit with loss, loneliness, and love that’s run its course, spanning Jazz and Soul laments from Donald Byrd and Les McCann to more modern reflections by Mayer Hawthorne and Cleo Sol. Along the way, he shares the stories, anecdotes, and personal reflections that make these records ideal companions for a good cry — and, maybe, a little clarity. If this year finds you on the hurting or healing end of love, consider this episode your solace.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In preparation for Valentine’s Day, Questlove digs into his collection to curate ten song suggesions that set the mood for love. From timeless classics by Minnie Riperton and Donny Hathaway to deeper cuts and modern selections from Cody Chesnutt and Meshell Ndegeocello, he shares the records that define romance in all its forms. If you’re in a season of love, consider this your soundtrack. And stay tuned for a second edition—songs for those on the other end of the spectrum.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bar-Kays legend James Alexander joins the Questlove Show for a deeply personal conversation, tracing his journey from a teenage musician playing segregated clubs in Memphis to becoming a cornerstone of Stax Records and a young artist mentored by Otis Redding. James reflects on the spontaneous birth and enduring impact of “Soul Finger,” the hard truths of touring in the 1960s, and the business wisdom Otis shared with him about publishing and ownership. He also speaks with profound honesty about the 1967 plane crash that claimed Redding and most of the Bar-Kays—a tragedy he narrowly escaped—and the long, painful process of grieving, resilience, and ultimately rebuilding the band in its wake.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this mini “musings” episode of the Questlove Show, Questlove answers listener questions and opens up about his love of certain breakfast cereals, his current morning gratitude and breathing rituals, and his ongoing work to become a more succinct communicator. He reflects on waking up to the music of his late friend J Dilla, the work of painter Ernie Barnes, and balancing creative projects including a new song and an Earth, Wind & Fire film. Quest also shares his ideal getaways—from omakase in Japan to luxury train travel—and invites fans to keep sending questions through the QLS channels.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.